100 years of the republic

On October 28th, 1918 Czechs and Slovaks saw their dream of a common, sovereign state turn into reality. A new republic emerged on the map of Europe. The man who was to become the country‘s first president, T.G. Masaryk, played a key role in bringing this about.

Who else contributed to the birth of independent Czechoslovakia? How did the young republic fare economically? What was the political culture and way of life like? Follow the captivating story of the birth and development of Czechoslovakia as well as reports about the exhibitions and celebrations marking the milestone year 2018. Join Radio Prague for a look back over the past century.

A history of Czechoslovak industry in seven objects

Jawa Athena Motorcycle, photo: Tom McEnchroe To commemorate Czechoslovakia’s famous industrial prowess the National Technical Museum in Prague is currently holding an exhibition titled ‘Made in Czechoslovakia - the Industry that Ruled the World’. More...

Masaryk’s great-granddaughter: His moral imperative applies to any time – hopefully we will return to it

Charlotta Kotik, photo: Ian Willoughby This weekend’s centenary celebrations in the Czech Republic will have particular resonance for art curator Charlotta Kotik, given that her great-grandfather Tomáš Garrigue Masaryk founded Czechoslovakia and served for almost two decades as the country’s first president. More...

100 years of the Republic - Dining at Prague Castle

Photo: © Prague Castle collection, Jan Gloc Dining is one of the most important manifestations of material culture. At state dinners the quality of the porcelain and glass used represents a given state. On the occasion of the 100th anniversary of the founding of Czechoslovakia, we have prepared a photo gallery, documenting the porcelain and glass dining sets used by Czechoslovak and later Czech presidents. More...

Czechoslovak centenary celebrations held the world over

Centennial Gala in Chicago, photo: archive of Czech Foreign Ministry Celebrations marking the centenary of the birth of Czechoslovakia on October 28, 1918 are taking place not only in the Czech Republic and Slovakia, but also among Czech and Slovak communities the world over. From London to Chicago, Czechs and Slovaks are highlighting an event in their common history that put them on the road to independence. More...

Valuable Dvořák score comes home to New York

The manuscript of Antonín Dvořák’s famous cello concerto has gone on display at the Czech Centre in New York, launching a month-long celebration of the centenary of Czechoslovakia. More...

Pilsner Urquell makers to celebrate Czechoslovak statehood with special brew

Photo: archive of deFORM studio It’s not just municipalities that will be taking part in events marking the 100th anniversary of the founding of Czechoslovakia next weekend. The makers of the famous lager Pilsner Urquell have announced they will also be involved through a number of events and special products. More...

Masaryk, Beneš and Štefánik to appear Czech coins

Photo: Czech National Bank Portraits of the founding fathers of Czechoslovakia – Tomáš Garrigue Masaryk, Edvard Beneš and Rastislav Štefánik – will newly appear on the 20 crown coins. The Czech National Bank is releasing the coins to mark the 100th anniversary of the foundation of Czechoslovakia. More...

Czechs gear up for 100th birthday bash

National Museum, photo: Ondřej Tomšů The Czech Republic is gearing up for celebrations marking the 100th anniversary of the founding of Czechoslovakia. In Prague month-long birthday celebrations have already kicked off and will culminate in a gala weekend on October 27-28, featuring a military parade, concerts and outdoor happenings. More...

ČTK photographs in centre of Prague tell story of Czech century

Photo: ČTK/Vít Šimánek As the nation celebrates 100 years of statehood, the Czech News Agency (ČTK), which celebrates its birthday on the same day as the republic, has unveiled its own exhibition in the centre of Prague. ‘Okamžiky století’ [Snaphots of History] as the exhibit is called, details every year of Czech and Czechoslovak state history through iconic photographs. More...

Minister at UN: Chicago connections were key to foundation of Czechoslovakia

Jan Hamáček, photo: ČTK/AP/Frank Franklin II The Czech deputy prime minister, Jan Hamáček, referenced key moments in the country’s modern history in an address to the UN General Assembly on Saturday. In an interview at the UN, he also discussed his visit to Chicago for major celebrations of the centenary of Czechoslovakia’s foundation. More...

Czech pilot celebrates centenary of Czechoslovakia by round-the-world flight

Roman Kramařík, photo: ČTK/Vít Šimánek Czech pilot Roman Kramařík has completed a flight around the world in a small Cessna airplane marking the 100th anniversary of the foundation of Czechoslovakia. Over the course of 46 days, the one-time aerobatic pilot crossed three oceans and three continents, covering over 40,000 kilometres. More...

Masaryk returning to Kostelec, hat not in hand

Tomáš Garrique Masaryk sculpture model, photo: archive of Kostelec nad Orlicí municipality To mark the 100th anniversary of the founding of Czechoslovakia, the town of Kostelec nad Orlicí took up a public collection to erect a new statue of the country’s founder and first president, Tomáš Garrique Masaryk. But it won’t be a faithful replica of the original – removed by the Nazis and later melted down by the Communists. More...